The 4th of July is just around the corner. Firework shows will be going on throughout the day and in some neighborhoods throughout the week. Will your dog or cat be anxious during the night time shows? Will he or she get overly anxious and not come out of hiding for hours? Will your pet get too scared and attempt a run for it?

The loud cracks and bangs of fireworks can have the same effect on pets as thunderstorms do. If you have a pet who already does not do well with thunderstorms, this blog is for you.

Some vet clinics offer sedation for this type of problem. We do not recommend it and most definitely consider it a last resort as there are other methods which can be used to calm your pet. Here are a few:

Use things in your house to “sound proof” it. Things like having the TVs on, your windows shut and curtains drawn will do a lot.

Have the AC Unit running colder than usual (louder noise).

Take your pet on a long walk before the celebrations start. Getting more exercise than usual will tire him out and he will be less active.

Keep your pet in one room with his or her favorite toys (preferably a room where the TV is on). Giving them a bone or some other treat that takes a while to get through can give them something to do and be distracted by.

Ensure your pet has their collar and tags on. Getting them micro-chipped is a preferred option in the event that their collar accidentally comes off. (We currently have a good special on micro-chipping your pet. It takes seconds to do and is basically a painless procedure.)

We hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July! Happy Independence Day!

Hurricane Season has arrived and we want to make sure you have the basics down. Hopefully nothing extreme happens this year, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the worst-case-scenario.

PREPARATION:

1. Get your pet micro-chipped. This form of identification is permanent. Tags and collars can become loose and fall off, but a micro-chip will stay in place for the lifetime of your pet!

A micro-chip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under the pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. It is basically a painless procedure. In the chip itself is your contact information so your pet can be easily returned to you if you get seperated.

2. Ensure you have enough water for not only you and your family, but for your pets too. Sometimes this is forgotten about.

3. Additionally, don’t forget about their food! Also, if he or she is on any medication you need to have these packed as well.

4. Having crates and/or carriers for each of your pets is important. Some pets get extremely “excited” when a big storm hits which can cause different behavior than you are used to handling. If you do need to go to the “safe spot” in your house, bring your pets with you and keep them in their own crate or carrier (preferably underneath a table or some other heavy furniture).

5. If you have a dog, have a leash with you as well. After it is OK to leave the “safe spot” and you all go outside, keep him on a leash and don’t let him drink any water on the ground. Debris and other possible toxins can be in the water after a bad storm which will be harmful to your pet.

Here is a good slideshow that shows exactly what everyone should have in their own Pet Emergency Kit: Click Here

Hopefully you will never experience any need to use your pet’s micro-chip or your Pet Emergency Kit. However, being prepared never hurt anyone–not even your pets! Love, Day and Evening Pet Hospital

Hopefully you saw our last blog, as this one is a continuation of the previous one. Click here for Part 1.

The next vaccine that we are going to go over in detail is for cats only. And yes, it’s another very important one.

Here are the details:

“FVRCP” Vaccine

“FVR” – Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis:

Signs include coughing, sneezing, discharge from eyes and nose, high fever, dehydration, loss of appetite

Airborne

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS!

Serious, but not often fatal. Can cause permanent damage to eyes and respiratory system

“C” – Caliciviruses:

Signs include loss of appetite, elevated temperature, lethargy, sneezing, oral ulcers and discharge from the eyes are seen.

Transmitted by direct contact (bowl, cage, brush, etc.)

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS!

Recovery expected in 7-10 days. May cause rapid death in young kittens and older cats.

“P” – Panleukopenia:

Signs include loss of appetite, followed by vomiting and diarrhea

Spread through infected feces

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS!!

FATAL!

Kitten Vaccination Schedule:
– Start as early as 6 weeks
– Minimum series of 3 vaccines
-3-4 week intervals
– A fourth booster vaccine is available for cats to receive optimum protection.
– Following the first series, vaccinations are required at yearly intervals.

We have specials on vaccines currently! We are a low-cost, high-quality Pet Hospital to provide for you and your pet. Check out our next blog and learn more about another vaccine! For our coupon page, click here.

There are a lot of vaccines that any vet will recommend your dog or cat have. Most clinics require specific vaccines in order to board your pet in their facilities! But what are they and what are they really for?

A lot of these vaccines have some pretty wild names and, unfortunately, make it harder to understand for some pet owners. It is our hope that these next series of blogs will help make clear what certain vaccines are and what they do/prevent.

Our first one is:

“DHPP” Vaccine
The DHPP is a vaccine that protects against four of the most common contagious illnesses. We recommend that dogs receive this vaccination yearly. Each letter of “DHPP” has a meaning and is described below.

“D” – Distemper:

Signs include coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, and/or discharge from the eyes/nose. Squinting of the eyes is often the first sign

Spreads through body secretions

It is highly contagious!

Often Fatal

“H” – Hepatitis:

Affects the dog’s liver

Spread through the infected dog’s urine

Rare, because it has continued to be controlled by vaccines

“P” – Parvovirus:

Signs include vomiting, fever, depression, diarrhea, and/or often contains large amounts of blood

For puppies under 6 months:– Start as early as 6 weeks
– To be given in 3-4 week intervals
– Minimum series of 3 vaccines
– A fourth booster vaccine is available for dogs to receive optimum protection.

For dogs over 6 months:
– Vaccine is recommended at yearly intervals.

We have specials on vaccines currently! We are a low-cost, high-quality Pet Hospital to provide for you and your pet. Check out our next blog and learn more about another vaccine! For our coupon page, click here.

We have some specials going on at the Day and Evening Pet Hospital and we wanted to let you know a little bit about them.

Because fleas and ticks are more prevalent in the summer time, (your dogs and cats are surely outside more than they are in the winter time) we wanted to tell you a bit about some products. Certain products are 10% off this month! Here is a list of the specials we have going on this month with details for you:

Activyl®
This is a treatment used to kill both fleas and/or ticks. You apply it to a small area of skin which allows it to spread throughout the entire coat of your dog or cat. Click here and here for pictures of how it works.

Certifect®
This is a treatment used to kill both fleas and ticks. It is for dogs only. You can get the discounted price for all sizes. Click here for a video of how it works.

Resultix™
This is a spray-on treatment to detach and kill ticks. It can be used on both cats and dogs. You spray it directly on the ticks and they are expected to be dead within 3 hours. It is now 10% off this month. Click here for a short video on how it works.

We care about you and your pet. These products will help you and your pet live a healthier and happier life. Come on in and see us so we can recommend which product is best for you and your pet’s needs.